Real Madrid are ready to step up bid for Ashley Cole

The Spanish club are understood to have made a £25million bid for the England defender before the World Cup and are now ready to step up their efforts.

Chelsea continue to insist they are not interested in selling a player who they regard to be the best left-back in the world, however the 29-year-old has become increasingly frustrated with his private life being constantly in the media spotlight.

Just before the World Cup started, his wife Cheryl Cole began divorce proceedings following a number of revelations over the player having extra-marital affairs.

Cole has been at Chelsea for four years and while he has enjoyed his time at Stamford Bridge, sources close to him suggest he wants to move abroad. Those fears have increased today after reports that he has grown disenchanted with life in England.

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who signed Cole from Arsenal in 2006, is now in charge at Real Madrid and has made taking him to the Bernabeu one of his main priorities.

Still, as Standard Sport revealed last month, Chelsea are adamant he is not for sale at any price and are doing everything they can to support him as the negative publicity continues.

Cole is now on holiday for three weeks but he is expected to return for pre-season training at Cobham with England team-mates Frank Lampard and John Terry.

Meanwhile, Florent Malouda has become the latest player to question the club's decision to release inspirational midfielder Joe Cole.

Captain John Terry expressed his shock at Chelsea's failure to hand the 28-year-old a new contract and a host of top clubs are now battling it out for his signature.

AC Milan have emerged as rivals to Arsenal and Tottenham amid reports in Italy that he has already bought a house in the city and will sign a £60,000-a-week contract.

Malouda admits Cole will be sorely missed next season as Chelsea look to defend the Premier League title and said: "Joe has spent so many years at Chelsea that it's really strange. I just think everybody enjoyed the way he committed himself to the club."

Chelsea have yet to sign anyone in the summer transfer window despite being linked with a number of top players but Malouda isn't worried.

Ron Gourlay, the club's chief executive, has admitted they are looking to reduce the wage bill, while coach Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to use more of the young players.

Malouda added: "I think the supporters always want big names and that's normal. I think the club has a strategy to improve. They are trying to bring on young players like Gael Kakuta, Fabio Borini, Jeffrey Bruma and my friend Patrick van Aanholt.

"I hope that they could have the opportunity to wear the shirt."